Applicants invited to interview will be assessed against ALL of the essential criteria (see job description below).

SC clearance/willingness to obtain SC clearance will be required for this role. This requires candidates to have been resident in the UK for at least the past three years. Please do not apply if you have been resident in the UK for less than three years as your application will be rejected.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please visit the Civil Service Careers website where you can find further information on the use of AI in the application guidance section.

Sponsorship

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Job Description

Role and Responsibilities

Enable The National Archives to remain compliant with information rights legislation through:

• Researching and reviewing files flagged for Reclosure and making recommendations for their access status.
• Working closely with the FOI Centre and the Reclosure Panel to ensure that there is a consistency of approach towards reclosure and compliance.
• Working collaboratively across the organisation to provide advice and assistance on Reclosure and compliance risks, to ensure reclosure concerns are addressed.
• Reporting progress and recommendations when necessary to the Reclosure Panel.
• Developing expert knowledge regarding the application of the FOI Act and related information rights legislation.
• Working to tight statutory deadlines, carry out research into, and produce reports on, closed records held by The National Archives in response to Freedom of Information requests.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment
• Display Screen Equipment user
• Moving items up to 10kg in weight
• Will come into contact with distressing material

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Degree in history or related subject, or significant relevant experience, demonstrating the ability to carry out research into records, analyse contents and summarise findings clearly and concisely.
• High standard of communication, both written and verbal.
• Good team-working skills and flexibility in approach to work, to meet targets.
• Demonstrate ability to make decisions, using sound judgement, escalating issues as required.
• Commitment to providing a professional service to the public and/or to other government departments.
• Ability to work to deadlines, work well under pressure, and prioritise/balance demanding workloads.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and related legislation.
• High level of IT literacy, including strong knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and SharePoint.
• Use of case management/tracking systems.
• Project management experience.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Benefits

• Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development. Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per calendar year (rising to 25 after the first year, and incrementally to 30 days after six years) and 10½ days public and privilege holidays per annum.

Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact The National Archives via careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
• Complete the ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ section of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks (opens in new window)

Nationality Requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Contact Point For Applicants

• Name: The National Archives Recruitment Team
• Email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The